Delray`s `Racial Gap` Debated

March 20, 1986|By Joseph Schwerdt, Staff Writer

DELRAY BEACH — Representatives of the South Palm Beach NAACP Wednesday urged Mayor Doak Campbell to ``bridge the gap`` between the city`s black citizens and local government by involving more blacks in the city`s decision-making process.

The 90-minute meeting at City Hall Wednesday was prompted when officials from the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People expressed outrage over comments made by Downtown Development Authority Chairman Connie Tuttle and downtown activist Joan Weir concerning the city`s Haitian community. But the Haitian issue was one of a dozen discussed by black leaders Wednesday.

``We are very concerned with the things going on in this community,`` said NAACP attorney Anita Baldwin. ``We want the people to know that we want to be a part of this city. We are not a group of apathetic bystanders. We want to be part of the decisions made in this community.``

Campbell assured the group of a dozen black leaders that blacks were not being excluded from city boards. He also said black residents are deeply involved in developing low-income housing and in the redevelopment of the city`s black business community along West Atlantic Avenue.

``We want to be on line, on board and in step with the progress being made in the black community,`` Campbell said. ``Not only in Delray Beach but elsewhere.``

NAACP representatives said they want more involvement by black residents during discussions regarding several timely issues:

Housing -- Additional low-income housing is needed throughout the city, black leaders said. And there should be more input from black residents on the type and location of new housing.

City boards -- NAACP representatives said they want more participation of black residents on city boards, including the Civil Service Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Parks -- Black leaders encouraged Campbell to work toward the construction and improvement of additional parks in black neighborhoods.

Crime -- More black officers are needed in the city`s Police Department, NAACP representatives said. And the department`s Oral Review Board, which interviews prospective recruits should have a black member, they said.

Management -- There are too few blacks in management positions in all city departments, black leaders said. The city should actively recruit qualified black applicants, they said.

Campbell said the housing situation will improve upon completion of a 105- apartment complex in the city`s black community. He also noted that Rosetta Rolle, a black woman, sits on the Housing Authority.

Blacks also have been involved in community redevelopment, Campbell said. Three blacks sat on the Atlantic Avenue Task Force, which devised a plan for the redevelopment of Atlantic Avenue. And there is a black representative on the Community Redevelopment Agency.

The city recently spent $90,000 to install lights at Merrit Park, located in the black community. And a new park is planned near Carver Middle School.

The Police Department is set to launch a recruiting drive to find qualified black officers. And other positions will be filled by blacks when qualified applicants seek position, Campbell said.

The group also echoed its demand made March 7 that Tuttle be removed as chairwoman of the DDA.

Weir, the leading fund-raiser in the city`s Main Street program, distributed letters to City Council members linking the Delray Beach Haitian community to the downtown`s economic problems. Weir said ``Haitians represent economic kill`` and that ``we can not give the Haitians an inch.``

Tuttle said Weir ``raised some very good points.``

``We are most concerned,`` Baldwin said. ``We perceive these comments as an effort to destroy the black community, alienate the black community, eliminate the black community. We are concerned about the apparent lack of sensitivity for the black community.

``These comments can only further divide the community, and we don`t want that.``

Campbell denounced any comments made against Haitians. But he refused to ask for Tuttle`s resignation.

``We do not condone them,`` Campbell said. ``And it is very unfortunate this had to happen. I don`t think anyone on the City Council or in the city administration agrees with it.``